Portland heads to Columbus to face the defending champs. Will they get their first win in five games in dramatic fashion? Come chat through it as we find out!
I'm amused that the team decides to spend most of the game on defense which is, um, not their strength and neglecting their attack which is good and getting better. I'd rather keep the pressure on them than the other way around but what do I know.
Big picture, the game was fine. The defense was under pressure all night. Gave up a mistake and a golazo. We didn’t have the ball and managed two quality goals. Efficient. We play and don’t give up for 90min.Our corners defense was fine but just wanted the ball more. Take the draw, go home.
Ref didn’t see a foul then feels the pressure from the protesting players and fans then decides to give the free kick that almost cost us a point. Weak moment by the ref
I like what I am seeing from the team overall. The level of hustle. Impressive. I have never seen Moreno track back so fast so far. And when Columbus had that break there were 6 Timbers in the box hauling ass back. Say what we will about mistakes the team is playing for Phil and working hard.
Dodged a bullet right there. If you told me before the match we'd get out of Columbus with a draw - I would have laughed and then said I;d take the point.. Well, I'd take the point alright but we could have had three if we didn't give up a goal due to dumb defense. We'd be further up the table if we just played solid - not ncessarily Bundi, Prem, etc. - in the back. That said, the front four was great. As I said last week - and I'm about to shout again - PLEASE FIX THE DEFENSE!!
That first CLB goal was the usual embarrassingly bad Timbering, defensively speaking. Nothing anyone could do about the second one, but this game should have been a 2-1 win if this team was any good at defending at all.
Still some improvements to make on defense but that might be the best game of the season so far. Good news is there are not a lot of teams as good as Columbus right now so I can be optimistic about the rest of the season
Just like last season, this high defensive line is just waiting to give up the equalizer. We've all seen this movie before. It's actually on the weekly rotation for our viewing "pleasure".
Yeah. To be fair, in his Everton days I didn't think the back line was as solid as some thought. Baines was great but Moyes' system sorta led to Everton keeping the score down - both for us and the opponent. You gotta wonder if Phil understands that the Timbers defense isn't middling Prem quality. Not even bottom three relegation fodder.
What a pretty sequence! Real slick move by Mora to lay off; plenty of strikers would try a shot or go 1v1. Honestly, the attack is coming along further than I thought. Just a shame about the defense.
Ah yeah, ylou could see that goal coming. Can't just let attackers slip through the box. Frustrating to see how the defense doesn't recognize how much space they're giving up.
Happens practically every single week. We just leave plenty of space out wide. And in the middle. And then everybody stands around while a guy like Cucho - any attacker, really - just marches into the box.
Being the "Best Timber player" in 2022 is like being the best skiier in Arkansas, though. Ivacic was good that year, but I'll take either of these two over him any day of the week.
Yes, 2022 Timbers were horrible That said, Ivacic was a MLS top 3 GK in 2022. The only reason they still had a chance to make playoffs up to decision day
Otoh, I'll still take him over over Bingham. Like Binham, his command of the box is suspect but at least he doesn't flap around trying to make some spectacular save. And he's only starting beccause Max got that dumb red.
I've only been half able to watch up till this point, but I'm starting to get nervous about this defense again? Glad they started out with a lead but they gotta tighten up, from what I've seen, it's been kinda rough as per usual back there in the last several minutes.
Guess I'll get the dsicussion started: anyone else worried about our chances of getting a result? It's the Crew, after all, and with Nagbe also being in good form. Not sure the one striker formation is going to create enough chances but if Mora gets service he is certainly capable of finishing.
Almost got Unkled at the death. That is a good point on the road against a good team. Need same next week and some home wins in May.
I'm amused that the team decides to spend most of the game on defense which is, um, not their strength and neglecting their attack which is good and getting better. I'd rather keep the pressure on them than the other way around but what do I know.
Big picture, the game was fine. The defense was under pressure all night. Gave up a mistake and a golazo. We didn’t have the ball and managed two quality goals. Efficient. We play and don’t give up for 90min.Our corners defense was fine but just wanted the ball more. Take the draw, go home.
Ref didn’t see a foul then feels the pressure from the protesting players and fans then decides to give the free kick that almost cost us a point. Weak moment by the ref
I like what I am seeing from the team overall. The level of hustle. Impressive. I have never seen Moreno track back so fast so far. And when Columbus had that break there were 6 Timbers in the box hauling ass back. Say what we will about mistakes the team is playing for Phil and working hard.
Mosquera’s defense and getting back has been much improved the last two games also.
yup
Dodged a bullet right there. If you told me before the match we'd get out of Columbus with a draw - I would have laughed and then said I;d take the point.. Well, I'd take the point alright but we could have had three if we didn't give up a goal due to dumb defense. We'd be further up the table if we just played solid - not ncessarily Bundi, Prem, etc. - in the back. That said, the front four was great. As I said last week - and I'm about to shout again - PLEASE FIX THE DEFENSE!!
That first CLB goal was the usual embarrassingly bad Timbering, defensively speaking. Nothing anyone could do about the second one, but this game should have been a 2-1 win if this team was any good at defending at all.
Still some improvements to make on defense but that might be the best game of the season so far. Good news is there are not a lot of teams as good as Columbus right now so I can be optimistic about the rest of the season
The team is getting better. Much better defending corner kicks today among other things.
Welp time to put on the Replacements record I got at Record Store day today. At least that will give me predictable results.
Wow, that was lucky!
Soccer gods equal it out.
Ted unkle doing Ted unkle things. Jesus.
Ball don't lie.
Said that to my kids.
I've said it many times but he's not even the best referee in his own house
The Unkels are definitely not even the best ref couple in the country. And Christine is not the best female ref.
She's not, but she's a damn sight better than he is at their collective job.
Can a team make the playoffs with (checks notes) 29 draws
Snatching a draw/loss from the jaws of victory. Pathetic and predictable.
I am not sure. Not much they could do with that. They are giving as good as they get.
It's the uneforced errors that bugs me. Yeah, nobody was going to stop that goal. But the first equalizer? Yeah, that's what I'm talking about.
Hell of a shot. damn
well farts
I prefer well drinks but to each his own.
Agreed. Sometimes you just have to shake your head.
yup. Not a whole lot to be done there by defenders or keeper.
Holy crap. Phew. No idea how they didn't score there.
Just like last season, this high defensive line is just waiting to give up the equalizer. We've all seen this movie before. It's actually on the weekly rotation for our viewing "pleasure".
Inasmuch as I hesitate to call what Phil has put together at the back a "system", the high line is probably the most infuriating part of it all.
Yeah. To be fair, in his Everton days I didn't think the back line was as solid as some thought. Baines was great but Moyes' system sorta led to Everton keeping the score down - both for us and the opponent. You gotta wonder if Phil understands that the Timbers defense isn't middling Prem quality. Not even bottom three relegation fodder.
Oh cool, the new anti-time wasting rules are in effect as of today. Really glad those are finally happening.
That was one of the best worked goals I have seen all year in any league.
What a pretty sequence! Real slick move by Mora to lay off; plenty of strikers would try a shot or go 1v1. Honestly, the attack is coming along further than I thought. Just a shame about the defense.
That called scoring “ from the run of play.” Seems like years since we’ve this. Response was quick.
im in love with this front 4.
That's more like it!
Well, that was nice!
Ah yeah, ylou could see that goal coming. Can't just let attackers slip through the box. Frustrating to see how the defense doesn't recognize how much space they're giving up.
Good passing for them. Nobody had the extra guy. Damn.
Acres of space for them to make that first pass. Inexcusable.
Happens practically every single week. We just leave plenty of space out wide. And in the middle. And then everybody stands around while a guy like Cucho - any attacker, really - just marches into the box.
There's that Timber defense, doin' what it does. Or, more accurately, doesn't do.
Ugh, you could see that coming, just sitting back, letting 'em pass it around the box
A good offense will help the defense. We haven’t had the ball to relieve pressure. Defense may have been a little tired.
I was really worried we were going to give one up late. Glad they kept it together. Keep it up guys.
Mosquera has gradually started to look more confident 1 v 1 defending.
Pantemis is pretty shaky
Both Pantemis and Crepeau are better than any Timbers GK in the last three seasons
2022 Ivacic was really good. Best Timbers player that year. Better than Pantemis.
Being the "Best Timber player" in 2022 is like being the best skiier in Arkansas, though. Ivacic was good that year, but I'll take either of these two over him any day of the week.
Yes, 2022 Timbers were horrible That said, Ivacic was a MLS top 3 GK in 2022. The only reason they still had a chance to make playoffs up to decision day
Wait what? 2023? Last year? The season he didn't even bother to finish because he got benched for being a malcontent, "using threatening language towards team staff", and demanding a trade multiple times before finally being dropped in September? His last game with the Timbers was on August 20 last year. (https://www.oregonlive.com/timbers/2023/09/mls-suspends-aljaz-ivacic-for-threatening-language-towards-portland-timbers-staff.html)
So yeah, I'm gonna have to disagree with you on "MLS top 3 GK" in 2023.
2022…..
Otoh, I'll still take him over over Bingham. Like Binham, his command of the box is suspect but at least he doesn't flap around trying to make some spectacular save. And he's only starting beccause Max got that dumb red.
He doesn't seem to know when to come out and when to stay on his line.
Is it wrong that I love the Charlie Brown shirts
We'll be wrong together. I love them as well.
I've only been half able to watch up till this point, but I'm starting to get nervous about this defense again? Glad they started out with a lead but they gotta tighten up, from what I've seen, it's been kinda rough as per usual back there in the last several minutes.
They looked ok for about 15 min. And I thought "we're making progress!" And then it was downfill from there. Now back to just barely holding on.
Not sure the midfield is going to hold up. We are getting run over right now.
Living dangerously, for sure!
Glad it was offside, but the defense fell asleep at the wheel again
Is that one of the slowest goals in the history of the Timbers? Perfect placement though.
More of that. Great movement and a sweet little goal.
For real. Quick passes right by the Crew defense. And Mora made sure to finish.
INCREDIBLE angle on that goal.
Guess I'll get the dsicussion started: anyone else worried about our chances of getting a result? It's the Crew, after all, and with Nagbe also being in good form. Not sure the one striker formation is going to create enough chances but if Mora gets service he is certainly capable of finishing.